Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said his government was committed to ensuring reservation for women in legislatures.
"Our government remains committed to ensuring reservation for women in state Assemblies and Parliament. A Bill in this regard will be passed as soon as possible," he said in Rajya Sabha.
Telugu Desam member Vanga Geetha, who is among the 58 Rajya Sabha members who will retire on April 2, had requested him to give an assurance in this regard.
Lauding the contribution made by the retiring members, the prime minister hoped they will continue to serve people with the same zeal and determination.
"Some of them have been re-elected and some are likely to be re-elected. But there are some who will not be re-elected. I do not believe this will be the end of their careers," Dr Singh said.
Recalling his 15-year-long association with the House, he said the quality of debates had gone up. "Who can forget the contribution of Nilotpal Basu or Dipankar Mukherjee?" Singh said.
"Even though we are on different sides, they have raised issues of social justice and the plight of the poor and this is laudable," he said.